The Magick & Spirit of Trees

Trees have long been companions to humankind since the beginning of our time and before civilization.

The wood from trees has provided humanity with fuel for warmth and cooking, material for building ships, canoes and boats, houses and buildings, and we can’t forget furniture that provide us a place to sleep, sit, eat and work.

Apart from these mundane and everyday usage of trees as a commodity, they’ve also been a part of spirituality and even historical significance.

Even sitting under a tree has provided enlightenment or revelations.

There was Buddha who sat under the Bodhi tree and achieved nirvana, and Sir Isaac Newton sat under an apple tree who then understood and formulated the law of gravity.

In this post, we’ll explore:

• Forest Bathing
• Tree Communication
• Tree Spirits & Deities
• Tree Magick
• Natural Witches Brooms
• Forest Magickal Supplies & Where to Get Them

Shamanism, Cultures & Trees

In shamanic and some cultural traditions, trees are revered for their ancient wisdom.

For example, we see in Native American, Hutsul (a Ukrainian ethnic group originating in the Carpathians), and Romani cultures, trees are seen as spirits and energy with their own personalities, traits, qualities and individual names apart of the species name of the tree.

The Druids, Celtic and Norse are well-known for their relationships with trees and their spiritual practices that include trees.

Most notably, the tree named Yggdrasil is known by many from Norse mythology in which the god Óðinn received wisdom and the meanings of the rúnir (runes) after hanging upside down from the tree.

Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing

Modern Western medicine in the 21st century has finally caught up to what the ancient people, that many of our ancestors, knew long ago about the healing and therapeutic benefits of trees and forests.

In Japan, “forest bathing” or “Shinrin-yoku” in Japanese (as dubbed by the Japanese government in 1982) is the practice of spending time (often meditative) in the forest which has now been scientifically proven to provide health benefits such as improved sleep, improved memory, lower blood pressure, decrease stress hormone and lessen anxiety.

Forest bathing has been prescribed by some doctors in Japan (sometimes together with other treatments) as a form of therapy for people who have depression, anxiety, sleep problems, stress and other health issues.

The importance of trees and the impact being around trees has on the mind, body and soul is noticeable when being around trees or in a forest.

The mind and body may not know that it’s lacking this necessary component when we are always surrounded by a concrete jungle full of paved roads, buildings and cars – that is, if you live in a city or urban area.

We may feel that we’re doing “OK” and not know what we’re missing – until we get the experience to be surrounded and immersed in a forest or local park.

A forest doesn’t need to be huge in order to have an impact.

A small wooded area near a neighborhood that’s open to the public, local public-use trails, national or state parks, campgrounds may be beneficial.

While it may be difficult for disabled people to be outdoors in trails or hiking trails, time outdoors in natural parks or woods that are accessible can be beneficial simply to be near them.

The scent of woods, leaves and earth can be therapeutic holistically for anyone.

Communication & Trees

Many spiritual practitioners, witches, pagans, new agers, shamans and animists have long believed that everything in nature has some kind of spirit and therefore can communicate in one way or another.

In some ways, non-new age / shamanic / spiritual practitioners are starting to examine these concepts and beliefs and bring awareness.

This article from 2018 explores the theory that trees communicate, care for their saplings, warn other trees and have protective mechanisms to heal themselves.

The Spirit of Trees

Trees have long been believed to have spirits of guardians of their own.

Different cultures and religions have their own personification and belief in gods, goddesses, spirits or even demons that live in forests, trees or wooded areas.

Here are some to consider:

Leshy, The Slavic Forest Spirit

While many people are now familiar with Baba Yaga who lives in the forest in her chicken footed hut, there is another forest creature that’s well acquainted and is connected to Baba Yaga.

In Slavic folklore, there is a huge forest dwelling creature that embodies the spirit of the forest and is a protector of the trees and forest dwellers.

His name is Leshy, and he’s considered to be a demon-god and a tree spirit.

There are stories that Leshy can be kind to humans, such as protecting homes that are near the edge of the forest and helping lost travellers find their way out of the forest.

However, there are other stories that he can be neutral and keeps his distance from humans. While some stories may recount that he can make travellers lost by confusing them in the forest simply out of fun and being a trickster.

Leshy has been compared to Greek mythological figures such as Pan, Satyr and the Centaur. The description of Leshy and these Greek counterparts is similar.

Read here for more about Leshy, aka “The Old Man of the Forest.”

Want some cool Leshy stuff?

Have a look at these Leshy products from The Witchery.

Dryad

Found in Greek mythology, the Dryad (also known as hamadryad) is considered the nature spirit or nymph that resides in trees.

This spirit may take the form of a beautiful woman.

Dryads were considered to only inhabit the oak tree, but later were considered to inhabit all trees.

Tree nymphs are believed to inhabit all forests, wooded areas and nature are are considered a part of Roman and Greek mythology.

Gods, Goddesses & Spirits of Trees

There are gods, goddesses and spirits from different cultures that are closely connected to trees or particular trees from their region.

Tree deities in different cultures of the world include:

Anita – Philippines: nature spirits that reside in balete trees

Bà Mộc – Vietnam: goddess of trees

Kukunochi – Japan: tree spirit

Metsaema – Estonia: mother of forest

Metsavana – Estonia: old man of the forest

Mielikki – Finland: goddess of the forests

Tapio – Finland: god of the forests

Salabhanjika – India: Hindu tree nymphs

The Magick of Trees

The magick of trees doesn’t need to happen in a far distant forest or need to take off a day or afternoon to find a local, state or national forest park.

If there are trees common to your neighbourhood, this is a good place to start.

First, we must learn to identify what trees are near your home, residence or even work place – if you choose to work with trees around any of these areas.

To help with tree identification, try this tree guide for starters for trees found in the U.S.A.

To identify trees in Canada, try this tree guide.

If you’re looking for more detailed information about the scientific properties and qualities of trees and prefer books, try this one about tree identification.

Any tree can be magickal since all of nature itself is magickal.

When we look at nature from an animist point of view, we begin to see that everything has a spirit.

Animism is a common belief in shamanic practices such as Seiðr (Norse shamanism), Molfarstvo (Hutsul – Ukrainian – Carpathian shamanism) and Native American or Indigenous shamanism.

First, we’ll have a look at how trees can be respected and worked with in a variety of magical purposes.

After this, we’ll look at the spirit of trees and why it is important to connect with the spirit of the tree in order to work with the energy of the tree effectively and respectfully.

This information isn’t exclusive to any tradition of witchcraft and may extend to other shamanic, animist, or ancestral practices that also work with the energy or spirit of trees.

The information provided herein is for general purposes and may vary depending on cultural practices or traditions based on your practice or ancestral traditions.

There may be some information that’s universal and may be common for more than one ancestral practice as often the information given to the ancestors came right from the source itself: The Trees.

At the bottom of this post, we’ll also share what’s known as a naturally occurring witch’s broom, plus how and why these are formed, and where to find them.

Trees & Their Spiritual / Magickal Properties

Wood and leaves from trees can be used in magick, spells, protection, altars, etc., such as:

creating a wreath of leaves or twigs
grinding the leaves into a powder or mixture
burning wood in a bonfire or fireplace
carrying a leaf or piece of wood with you; or
using on your altar or in your home to attract the magickal properties of the tree.

There are trees such as conifers that have needles or trees that are evergreens and don’t lose their foliage in the winter.

The needles and foliage from these trees can be used all year ‘round.

Evergreens trees are particularly beneficial in the winter, which the pagan (and now Christian) tradition at Yule or Christmas is to bring an evergreen tree inside to decorate.

This reinforces the magic and human connection to trees and the spirit/meaning of trees.

If you are familiar with the magic of trees in other parts of the world, please feel free to leave a comment and share with us and everyone about trees that may be particular where you’re from or within your culture.

Here are a few common trees that are found in North America and/or Europe.

There may be some variations or subspecies of these trees which may be found in other regions of the world:

Maple

Maple can be used in spells and magick for:

Love
Money
Sweetness
Good luck
Wealth

Oak

Oak can be used in spells and magick for:

Wisdom
Strength
Youthfulness
Healing

Elm

Elm can be used in spells and magick for:

Protection from lightening
Connection to elves and the Elven world
The divine feminine

Birch

Birch can be used in magick and spells for:

Fertility
Women’s health and issues
Renewal
Growth
Warding off evil

Poplar

Poplar can be used in magick and spells for:

Protection
Money magick
Divination
Success
Transformation

Chestnut

For chestnut tree, this can include the wood, leaves and nuts from the tree for magick and spells.

Chestnut can be used in magick and spells for:

Abundance
Animal magick
Success
Love

Elder

For the elder tree, this can include the wood, leaves and berries from the tree for magick and spells.

Elder can be used in magick and spells for:

Protection
Healing
Intuition
Crone magick
Death / Rebirth

Walnut

For the walnut tree, this can include the wood, leaves and the nuts from the tree for magick and spells.

Walnut can be used in magick and spells for:

Wealth
Money
Health
Healing

Willow

The Willow Tree can be worked with for magick and spells for:

Good health

Apple

Apples are abundant in the autumn, both in stores, markets or to collect on your own in an orchard.

Apple cider can be used in place of wine during rituals and/or magickally infused with blessings prior to drinking.

Apple wood can make an excellent magickal wand.

Magick and spells with apple can include the leaves, wood and the fruit from the tree.

Apples and apple wood can be used in magick and spells for:

Love
Luck
Fertility
Immortality
Money

Cherry

Cherry can be worked with in magick and spells for:

Love
Romance

Pine

Pine can be worked with in magick and spells for:

Cleansing
Purification
Rejuvenation

Spruce

Spruce can be worked with in magick and spells for:

Birth
Protection of women
Home protection
Strength

Juniper

Juniper can be worked with in magick and spells for:

Purification
Cleansing
Healing

Fir

Fir can be worked with in magick and spells for:

Immortality
Clarity
Longevity

Cedar

Cedar can be worked with for magick and spells for:

Cleansing
Protection

Yew

A caution about Yew:

Yew is a toxic tree for animals and humans. All parts of the tree are toxic. Handling parts of the tree may cause health problems to certain people if gloves aren’t worn.

Important! Keep all parts of Yew, particularly the needles, out of reach of children and animals/pets.

Do not leave Yew out in the open on tables, countertops and/or altars. Keep Yew stored in sealable glass containers or bottles that can be easily washed if necessary.

If you have cats or dogs, keep Yew and any bottles or containers of Yew out of reach that can’t be knocked over or chewed on.

Yew has been traditionally found and planted in areas such as cemeteries and graveyards.
There are different kinds of Yew, but all are toxic and can be fatal even in small quantities depending on the animal or human.

Extreme caution and care should be taken if purchasing, storing or working with this tree.

If you wish to know more about working with Yew, please continue more research about the tree from scientific and arborist resources.

Yew is commonly associated with magick and spells that involve or are in connection with:

The Dead
The Dying / Those in Palliative Care
Necromancy
Cemetery / Graveyard
Spirit Communication / Mediumship

The Spirit of Trees

Trees have their own spirits and energy, which if you take time to greet and care for trees, you’ll begin to “hear” them communicate with you.

Here’s an example from my own life about developing a relationship with a tree:

In the home that we’ve lived for 7 years, we have a Boxelder tree (also known as a Manitoba maple) in the backyard.

Our home is an older home that was built in the 1940s. It’s a rental so it’s seen a lot of people move in an out over the decades. We doubt that there’s been even a handful of people who’ve lived in the home as long as we have.

A little bit about Boxelder (Manitoba maple) trees: among many home owners and arborists, it’s not a favourite tree. In fact most people are annoyed with it or just don’t like it.

The Boxelder tree sheds stringy buds in the spring that create mounds of them, then it sheds leaves continuously from May until November. It usually has a massive root system and can easily outgrow its original space. Most often people will plant a Boxelder too close to a fence which the tree over the years will begin to break the fence.

Every spring, we have to rake the buds and all summer rake leaves. (Personally, I love the autumn feel it gives our backyard even in the middle of summer.)

A few years ago, a huge branch broke off the tree due to its age and water damage. The tree has to be pruned every few years as do most trees to keep them healthy and to avoid damaging property.

During the years, I’ve never felt that the tree wanted to have a relationship with me. The pugs usually avoided the tree and Rocky would rarely (if ever even once) pee on the tree.

Then in 2023, a shift happened. The year before we started a garden in the backyard and although it wasn’t really a success, it was our first attempt. The pugs and I started to spend more time outside since 2021. We’d watch movies on a projector screen. In the years before it was simply to let the pugs out and then back inside.

In 2023, we started the garden again. After watering the plants, I would come inside and dispose of the little remaining water. But then suddenly, I felt that after watering the plants, I should give the left over water to the tree.
After three days of doing this, I felt a shift from the tree. Appreciation. Less apprehension. It felt seen and noticed.

After that, the energy from the tree was felt more easily and was less “closed off.” The tree had always been a stationed neighbour that never bothered to get to know its neighbours because many of them would likely leave after a few months or years, or paid no attention to the tree, or would probably complain about the leaves and mess it makes each year.

In the past, I tried to connect with our backyard tree but very little would be communicated as a response.

Now, as the pugs and I spend more time in the yard, I am letting the tree become acquainted with us and letting the tree open up on its own terms; letting the tree know that I’m open and willing to have a friendship with the tree.

Get to Know Your Trees

Trees have their own personality, not just as the type of tree but within each tree is a layer on top of that general persona.

If you have a tree (or trees) in your yard or a tree that you particularly like, why not slowly get to know it (or them)?
Approaching a tree may be similar to becoming acquainted with an animal that’s unsure about your intentions.

For animals that are weary about humans, the approach is often to sit near by or within eyesight and simply let the animal (or in this case) the tree become familiar or acquainted with your presence and energy.

If you sit in the presence of the tree, you may wish to meditate on the tree while remaining unattached to the outcome and not imposing yourself on the tree. Allow the tree to “sense” you out, to be curious about you.

If you don’t feel this after sometime, that’s OK. Some trees don’t want to communicate, have no interest in people or a particular person, or may not feel they can open up or trust.

If you wish to develop a friendship or working relationship with a tree, take your time to become acquainted, develop trust between each other, and become familiar with one another.

In some cases, a practitioner may wish to use a part of a tree such as for a wand, a wreath, a tool, etc.

It’s important to ask for permission from the tree to remove any limb from the tree and never to peel bark from a living tree.

A Note about Tree Removal and Pruning:

It may be better to use tree branches or sticks that are on the ground if possible as these may have been broken naturally by storms, wind or animals.

If you must have maintenance work done on a tree that’s on your property, such as to remove or prune a tree, either by yourself or a professional, it may be ideal to let the tree know what will happen and why it needs to be done.

There are situations in which trees may become damaged or diseased and need to be removed. If you develop a relationship with your trees, you may wish to let the tree know the situation and why you have to have the work done.

This may be considered a courtesy if you believe in tree spirits or believe/practice animism. After all, many agree that trees are living beings even though they may not have the same consciousness as animals or humans.

The Witches Broom

Finally, we have what’s called a natural Witches Broom or Witch’s Broom.

This formation of a tree branches is caused by one of the following conditions: a) disease, e.g. fungus or virus; b) insects; c) stress.

A Witches Broom is generally harmless to the tree unless it is cause by a fungus, virus or insects.

Proper pruning and maintenance can remove the Witches Broom and in some cases, the tree can be saved if there’s no other damage to the main parts of the tree.

Natural formation of Witches Brooms, just like other man-made brooms, can be used as protective talismans to protect the home.

If placing a natural Witches Broom outside your home, it may be best to keep it away from pets and store outside the home near an entrance, such as to hang the broom on a wall.